<p>I'm a first-year college student who's pretty sure he wants to go to medical school. I realize that I should get as high a GPA and MCAT score as possible, and that those two stats are evaluated first and foremost in the admissions process. But what about extracurricular activities? Along with teacher recommendations, extracurriculars seem to be the next big thing on the "list of things to get right for med school admissions."</p>
<p>But I'm stumped when it comes to choosing extracurriculars. Do med schools want me to just be really passionate about a key activity or issue (even if it's totally unrelated to medicine) and put my heart into it? If that's true, and I wholeheartedly participate in totally non-medical activities, how in the world am I supposed to show the admissions office that I'm genuinely interested in the medical field?</p>
<p>Or will I be pretty much expected to do lab research, shadow doctors, etc. as my extracurriculars in order to show my "genuine interest in medicine" and get into a good med school?</p>
<p>Your prompt responses would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>You are expected to do both which is why being premed is not easy. You definitely should have some sort of medicine-related activities as well as activities that you are passionate about.</p>
<p>Any more opinions/suggestions? (bump)</p>
<p>yea here are some good ones to look into. Medical schools LOVE these</p>
<p>EMT, phlebotomist (they take blood at like blood drives/clinics, about a week of training or so im told), and a diener (helps with autopsies, experience training), or just shadow doctors</p>
<p>EMT training will take a long time (a few months in NY), and you need to be able to have regular hours for shifts, so idk if i suggest u do that. Plus it takes a certain kind of person. Ive seen some tragic stuff that my cousin whos a vascular surgeon has yet to see. So i wouldnt advise that unless you know you have the time and the heart.</p>
<p>Hey Doogie, I've heard a couple college students on CC talk about their experiences as EMTs. How would a college student be able to work as an EMT while taking classes? Also, is it common for colleges to have on-call volunteer EMTs that bolt out of their classes to respond to on-campus emergencies? I heard about that somewhere too, and I'm curious</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>it depends on what kind of system you guys have at your school. Some schools use the town EMS, while some have their own response units.</p>
<p>Either way, call up whoever responds if u call 911 and ask them about it.</p>
<p>You dont wanna bolt out of classes, people do it, but idk why. Id rather learn the material. But you can do it during ur free time, or when ur home for the summer. It just requires alot of time and training. Definatly have to be willing to put in all the time.</p>